Clare’s Oireachtas representatives are being called on to ramp up efforts to prevent any further delays in the provision of increased bed capacity at the region’s main hospital.
It follows suggestions that the over-run in costs for the National Children’s Hospital could delay a number of healthcare projects, including the ten million euro development of new beds at University Hospital Limerick.
The Taoiseach says the escalating cost of the new National Children’s Hospital will be investigated in the New Year.
The total cost of the hospital is now 1.4 billion euro – almost twice the original estimate of 790 million.
It means the Finance Minister will have to take €50 million from the health budget and €50 million from other government departments next year to fund the overrun.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he understands the money has to be spent – but he’s not happy about the overrun and says it should have been anticipated.
A memo to cabinet drawn up by Health Minister Simon Harris reportedly states that a series of healthcare projects “would have to be halted or significantly curtailed for up to five years”.
Among these is the €10 million euro development of new beds at University Hospital Limerick,, which includes a 60-bed modular unit due next year, and the longer term project of a new 96-bed block.
Barefield Independent Councillor Ann Norton is a member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West, and she’s calling on local Oireachtas representatives to ensure there are no further delays.
